Elderflower Champagne... Best Recipe??

Chimera

no sign of fermenting yet, so I've just added a pinch of yeast.. smells lovely though, getting slightly worried that I've done things wrong, but haven't really lost anything if I have I suppose

tru

Chimera, don't worry, it'll be fine

So much for leaving them in the bottles for a week - we've just opened our second bottle (2 days after bottling them) and I've downed a glass I can't believe something so quick and easy can taste soooooooooo good

ANNEGEDDES

Just watched that video, he said dont bother unless have proper bottles corks etc what do you guys think? and he said it was alcohol free?

Aless

I was inspired by this thread to have a go too. I dragged my OH out to find the flowers (he ended up really enjoying the search) and have started it off and am just hoping it will all turn out.

I might have a problem with the bottles but OH has volunteered to drink a bottle of fizz a night so we have enough! I think we will manage a mixture of champagne type bottles and plastic.

MrsCrafty

ANNEGEDDES wrote: »

Just watched that video, he said dont bother unless have proper bottles corks etc what do you guys think? and he said it was alcohol free?

I have ordered these. http://www.goodlifehomebrew.com/brown-swing-top-bottles-750ml-case-of-12.php

However, be aware that they take a while to deliver. I ordered on the 7th and still don't have them:cool:

I can't afford to go and buy 16 bottles of champagne although it would be fun. You could also buy cheap bucks fizz from Mr A at £1.67 and keep the wires and just buy some press in plastic corks.

Apparently the plastic PET bottles are alright as long as you let the gas out when they start bulging. I really want a good fizz so have splashed out as they can be used again & again.

Gigervamp

ANNEGEDDES wrote: »

Just watched that video, he said dont bother unless have proper bottles corks etc what do you guys think? and he said it was alcohol free?

Fizzy pop bottles are perfect for elderflower champagne and as I mentioned earlier, mine was potent stuff in the alcohol department!
I wonder if he was making cordial rather than champagne (can't watch the video ATM).

MrsCrafty

Chimera wrote: »

no sign of fermenting yet, so I've just added a pinch of yeast.. smells lovely though, getting slightly worried that I've done things wrong, but haven't really lost anything if I have I suppose

No you can't really b ugger this up.:beer:

MrsCrafty

ANNEGEDDES wrote: »

Just watched that video, he said dont bother unless have proper bottles corks etc what do you guys think? and he said it was alcohol free?

I forgot to answer this. It's pretty much alchol free because only a tiny amount of natural yeast is being used. I have added 2 teaspoons of brewers yeast to give it about the strength of 8%.

It will only be 1-2% with no added yeast which is extremely mild.

Gigervamp

MrsCrafty wrote: »

I forgot to answer this. It's pretty much alchol free because only a tiny amount of natural yeast is being used. I have added 2 teaspoons of brewers yeast to give it about the strength of 8%.

It will only be 1-2% with no added yeast which is extremely mild.

I'm going to have to disagree with you! I never added any yeast to mine and two small glasses of it was like drinking half a bottle of wine!
I guess it just depends on how much yeast is on the flowers.

MrsCrafty

Gigervamp wrote: »

I'm going to have to disagree with you! I never added any yeast to mine and two small glasses of it was like drinking half a bottle of wine!
I guess it just depends on how much yeast is on the flowers.

I am not absolutely sure as yet, but will be taking an SG reading from start to finish so will be able to give you the exact percentage. As the Sugar does the tango with the yeast, the alcohol is formed.

I didn't fancy making it at such a low alcohol but I may change my mind now:beer:. I wonder if the yeast is at a higher content when the sun is shining and this is why they say pick them in sunshine. <<scuttles off to find out>>